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Hamble Lifeboat was founded in 1968 by local residents, fishermen, and boating enthusiasts in response to an increasing number of accidents and fatalities in the Hamble River, Southampton Water and the Solent. In one year alone there were 19 deaths.

Hamble Lifeboat is one of approximately 70 Independent Lifeboat stations found around the British Isles, responding to on average 100 calls per year. As an independent lifeboat service, we are responsible for raising all funds needed to cover our operational costs which are about £35,000 per year.

We work closely alongside our RNLI and Coastguard colleagues and maintain equally professional standards, although our resources as an Independent service are somewhat limited with regards to public relations, fundraising and exposure.The unit has two inshore lifeboats which are Halmatic Pacific 32’ rigid inflatable lifeboats which comply with the Maritime Coastguard Agency Lifeboat code and are built to Lloyds A100 specification. Both boats are fully equipped to handle any search and rescue emergencies.

Whether afloat or onshore, your interest is welcomed

Requirements

Minimum age 21

Pass medical & eyesight test

Pass a physical fitness test

Live and/or work within 15 minutes of Hamble Lifeboat Station

Be able to commit to a rota of two full duty days per month on weekends and Bank holidays

Be able to commit to at least 3 Wednesday evening training sessions per month

Preferably have good seamanship skills

Be willing to obey orders when required

A sense of humour and get on well with other people

We provide pager response 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During weekends, Bank holidays, and major events (such as Round the Island and Cowes Week), there will be crew on watch in the Lifeboat Station, or on patrol. A weekend duty is from 0900 to 1800 in summer and 1000 to 1700 in winter, involving boat and kit inspections, training, and a patrol of our local area, which serves to cover local incident risk areas, keeping the crew familiar with the operation of the Lifeboat and its equipment.

All local available crew respond to pager calls, either as boat or shore crew. On Wednesday evenings operational crew meet for training, which is often led by senior members of the crew.

As well as crew for the Lifeboats, we are always looking for volunteers who can help with fundraising, PR, safety education in schools/youth organisations/sailing clubs, maintenance work on the boats and building and any of the myriad of tasks that are required to run our emergency service. For the lifeboat crew there are special requirements which are set out on the left-hand side.

All crew are volunteers, and offer their time and skills for the public good. Crew members do not receive service payments of any kind. It is 100% voluntary.

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Hamble Lifeboat is an Independent Lifeboat service funded entirely by good will donations and crewed by volunteers. If you would like to make a donation, please use the button below.